The Federal Communications Commission announced today that
it will uphold its original decision, granting the La Plata County Board of Commissioners’
request for a market modification allowing satellite providers to offer
subscribers access to Denver television programming. This decision culminates a
decade-long effort to bring relevant programming from the state capital to La
Plata County residents.

The FCC granted the market modification request in 2017, and
Albuquerque broadcasters appealed the decision. Today’s announcement that the
2017 decision was upheld resolves the appeal.

With the FCC’s decision to uphold the original petition
seeking a market modification, the two satellite providers serving La Plata
County citizens now have permission to make agreements with ABC, NBC, CBS and
Fox affiliates in Denver to offer their broadcasts to subscribers in La Plata
County who now solely receive Albuquerque-based news, weather and sports
programming.

La Plata County was the first county in the United States to
submit a market modification petition, and results from La Plata County’s
efforts to respond to citizen concerns about lack of access to news, sports and
weather reports from Colorado. The effort was bolstered by strong support from
La Plata County’s congressional delegation, and Sen. Michael Bennet’s office in
particular provided invaluable help in preparing the petition for a market
modification and the original legislation that allowed for market modification
requests.

“This historic decision will be a major benefit for our
community, allowing residents to connect with critical information from our
state capital,” said Commissioner Gwen Lachelt. “We appreciate the work our
delegation has done to pave the way for this long-awaited decision, and the assistance
Sen. Bennet’s office has provided since the outset of the effort.”